Ditching-machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. J. POWERS.

DITOHING MACHINE. No. 404,301. Patented May 28, 1889.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. J. POWERS.

DITOHING MACHINE.

No. 404,301. Pateted May 28, 1889 WZZfi/mww; 72222)? 3 j a '1 W u. rz'rzns. Phowmhognphn. Washington. 0. c.

(No Model.) v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

D. J. POWERS.-

DITGHING MAGHINE.

' No. 404,301. Patented May 28, 1889.

(No Model.)

v 5Sheets-Sheet 4. D. J. POWERS.

DITGHING MACHINE.

Patented May 28, 1889..

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

1). J. POWERS.

DITGHING MACHINE. No. 404,301.. Patented May 28, 1889.

Ill 7 N. PETERi'PhOlo-l-Bhoyzpher. Wuhinglm D C- V UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

DAVID J. POIVERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DlTCHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,301, dated May 28, 1889.

Application filed October 29, 1886- $erial No. 217,522. (No model.)

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID J. PoWEEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinoi s, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ditching-lvlachines, which I desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States,

. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of ditching-machines in which the ditch is excavated by buckets attached to a rotating wheel, and is an improvement upon the machines patented to me in Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 319,421, dated June 2, 1885, and 340,614, dated April 27, 1886.

The several features of construction in which my improvements consist are hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings annexed and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved ditcher. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of the excavating-wheel and a part of the frame-work in which itis suspended, the other parts of the machine being removed and the point of view being the same as in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the side of the excavating-wheel opposite to that shown in Fig. 2". Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the excavating-wheel. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the excavating-wheel, on an enlarged scale, showing the groove in which the protecting-shield hangs. Fig. 7 shows an end view of one of the excavating-buckets, with the removable enlarged cutting-edge attached. Fig. Sis a plan view, and Fig. 9 a side elevation, of the follower. Fig. 10 is a cross-section of the same on line 10 10; and Fig. 11, a cross-section on the line 11 11, Fig. 9. Fig. 12 isa top view of the winding-drum and frame in which it is mounted, and Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional View of the same. Fig. 14: is a view, on an enlarged scale, of a guide for the cable for holding it to the surface of the ground in front of the-machine. Figs. 15 and 16 are top and side views, respectively, of an improved anchor, to which the forward end of the cable is attached; and Fig. 17 is a side view of the arm attached to the tongue, carrying the pulley against which the cable bears.

The general features of the machine are the same as those of the machine described in the two' patents above referred to, and it is therefore unnecessary to describe it herein in detail, except as to the points of difference.

The excavating-wheel is journaled in the vertically-adjustable frame described in the before-mentioned patents, is driven by the usual sweep and gearing, and consists of a wooden frame-work with an outwardly-inclined rim or felly. Instead, however, of attaching the buckets directly to this rim, as has been heretofore done, I strengthen the wheel by attaching to its inner side a metal facing consisting, preferably, of a series of segmental plates of boiler-iron, 2, to which I rivet the buckets 3. I make the buckets equal in number to or a multiple of the segmental plates, placing a bucket at each point of junction between the plates, and causing it to lap from one plate to the next. In this way I make use of the buckets themselves to strengthen the wheel and obtain a structure all the parts of which contribute to its strength, and which has therefore great rigidity in proportion to weight. WVith wheels as before constructed the buckets have been a dead load upon the wheel, and have contributed nothing to its strength. I-I ere, however, they form constituent parts of the wheel structure, and the other parts can therefore be made of less weight. Further advantages of this construction are that it is a convenient attachment for the buckets, as they may be fastened by bolts and readily unbolted for repair, and should an accident happen to any of the plates they may be replaced without disturbing the rest of the wheel. It is not essential to this construction that the segmental plates should abut against each other.

If desired, spaces may be left between them spanned, and the plates connected by the buckets. I may also make the segments larger than those shown, mounting one or more buckets midway of each plate.

As heretofore constructed, buckets of this kind havebeen made semicircular in crosssection. Such a bucket, of course, gives a circular contour to the bottom of the ditch. I have found that this shape for the ditchbottom is objectionable, in that where the tile is small the pitch of the ditch toward the center is not suflicient to insure the proper alignment of the tile. This I propose to remedy by soshaping the bucket that the general plane of inclination of the two sides thereof shall be toward the center of the bucket, thus giving a sort ofapex. instead of the usual circular contour. One way of doing this is to give the bucket an elliptical. form, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 5. Obviously an angle or the apex is not essential to this construction, since if the apex were rounded oil with a radius no greater than that of the smallest tile ever used the result would be the same. In a ditch the bottom of which is shaped by such a bucket the tile, no matter what their size, will always gravitate to its center, and their alignment with each other will therefore be perfect.

The shape of the bucket shown might be modified by giving its side a polygonal instead of a curved contour, or by making the bucket in V shape instead of elliptical; but these n'lodifications would be within my invention, the gist of which is the giving of the sides of the bucket an inclination toward a single central point.

I have further modified my former construction of buck etby giving its cutting edge an inclined or spiral form, as shown in Figs. 3 and 1t, wherebyI obtain a drawing cut upon the earth instead of the usual square cut, the wheel on this account requiring less power to work it. Moreover the grass and roots slip off from the edges of the buckets more readily when they are thus shaped, and the turf and scatterings of earth are all delivered upon the dump side of the machine instead of partially scattered uponboth sides. The advantage of this form of cutting-face would of course be the same so far as the mere cutting is concerned, whether the inner or outer side of the bucket is advanced beyond the other; but in order to insure the proper throwing of the scatterings of dirt itis preferable to have the inner side of the bucket advanced and the outer cut back, as shown.

I do not limit myself to the particular form of incline or spiral shown, as any shape given to the bucket whereby the cutting-edge is inclined to the earth as it strikes it, a part of the cutting-edge taking et'fect before the remainder, is within my invention.

In Figs. 3 and 7 I have illustrated a detachable device by means of which I propose to vary the width of the ditch without changing the buckets. This device consists of a cutting scoop-shaped rim, 4:, provided with a shank, 5, by means of which it is attached to the wheel and a flat brace, 6, passing back to the bucket. Two of these braces 6 maybe used, if desiredone on each side of the bucket; or the braces maybe omitted and the rim supported by its shank alone. The greatmajority of ditches dug are of course lateral ditches, for which the tile are not often over five and six inches in diameter, and consequently require a ditch not over eight inches in width, while the larger or main ditches must be from ten to twelve inches in width. IIeretofor-e it has been necessary either to use two machines-one for the main and the other forthelateral ditchesor to use one machine of a size large enough to cut the main ditch forthe lateral ditches also,which is obviously a great waste of force. ]ly the use of my detachable enlarged cutting-front I enable a single machine to do both classes of work, passing from one to the other without making any changes in the machine requiring much time or labor. The fixed buckets are made about eight inches in width, which is sufiicient for nine-tenths of the work tobe done, and when I desire to cut wider ditches I apply the enlarged cutting-fronts to each bucket or to each alternate bucket, by which means the ditch may bewidened successfully to ten or twelve inches. It may be desirable to have several sets of detachable cuttingfronts of various sizes for each machine.

The braces (5 may be of flat or circular form, and they perform the double function of supporting the detachable cutting-edge and also of guiding the earth into the buckets.

I do not confine myself to any particular shape or form of the detachable cuttingfront, any suitable shape which will perform the desired functionv being within my invention. It preferred, it may be made like a hood, and attached directly without intervening braces to the buckets.

The scraper 7, Fig. 4, is mounted upon the inclined pitch-board 10, as in my former machines, and is provided with claws or inclined fingers 8 and 5) upon its front face to assist in guiding the scoop over it and to prevent the scoop from striking itsquarely. It is apparent that as the scoop passes over the scraper, if the hinged side door, 1], fallsopen too wide, the rear door hinged to it, 12, may drop so low as to be caught under one of the inclined fingers and be torn oil. To prevent such an a cident, which I find occurs occasionally in actual work, I provide a depending stop, 13, attached to the framework and extending down toward the scraper, which acts to arrest the side door, 11, of the scoop after it has opened far enoughto pass over the scraper. This step may be of any convenient form, of wood or a curved or other metal. red, as shown.

A further improvement of the excavating wheel (shown herein for the first time) is the manner of hanging and supporting the shield 14-, which protects the gearing and mach inery. lleretofore this shield has been suspended from the frame-work in which the excavatingwhccl is journaled. I now propose to suspend it. by a loop, 15, Fig. 3, from the main axle 16, which is a simpler and more compact construction; also, in order to make it a more perfect prot(. .ction to themachinery,Ipropose to cause it to hang in a groove, 17, Fig. 0,

formed on the inside of the circumferential part of the wheel, instead of hanging, as heretofore, against the inner side of the wheel. This groove may be formed in any convenient manner. I have found it convenient to suspend the shield just within the segmental plates 2, grooving the wooden frame-work to receive it, asv shown. This fitting makes a close joint between the shield and the wheel and effectually prevents the passage of earth. \Vhere the earth being excavated is moist and sticky, this groove sometimes clogs and there is a tendency to carry the shield around with the wheel. To prevent this, it may be necessary to use a tie-rod, 18, connecting the shield with the frame-work.

I of course do not limit myself in the use of the groove to a shield suspended to the main axle, as the groove would be equally serviceable where the shield was suspended by straps or braces from the frame-work, as in my form er machines; neither do I confine myself in the use of the suspending loop to a shield hanging in a groove.

Other important improvements are illustated in Figs. 1, 12, and 13, and relate to the mounting of the drum about which the cable passes. \Vherc steel cables are used in machines of this character it is not practicable to mount the drum upon the main shaft of the machine, for the reason that if a drum of sufficient size is used to prevent injury by close wrapping to the cable the forward mo tion of the machine will be too rapid. It is therefore best to use an auxiliary shaft with intermittent gearing, and this construction also has the advantage of permitting the gearing to be so arranged that different degrees of speed may be given to the machine, depending upon the character of the soil in which it is working. I propose to mount the drum upon a swinging frame attached to the main axle, this mounting permitting it to be adjusted up and down-that is, to and from the surface of the ground. This is an advantage, for the reason that it is desirable to have the cable as near the ground at all times as may be, and if the drum has not an independent adjustment its distance of the cable from the surface will always depend upon the position of the adjustable frame carrying the main shaft. This construct-ion also enables me to relieve the main shaft of a considerable part of the strain on the cable, as hereinafter explained. The frame-piece 19 is pivotally attached near one end by means of boxes 20 to the main shaft 16, and it carries near its outer end the auxiliary shaft 21, on which is mounted the drum 22, having heads 23, between which the steel-wire cable 24 is wound. The auxiliary shaft is provided with two fixed pinions, 25 and 26, and the main shaft 16 is provided with two pinions, 27 and 28, loose on the main shaft, a clutch, 29, being provided for pinion 27, this clutch being feathered on the main. shaft, and a s iding key, 30,

'the frame, respectively.

fitted in a groove, 31, provided in the shaft being adapted to lock pinion 28 to the shaft when pushed out, so as to take into a groove provided for it in said pinion, (indicated in Fig. 12 by broken lines;) but any other of the well-known forms of clutch mechanisms may be substituted for those shown. According as the motion is communicated through oneor the other of these two sets of pinions, the machine will advance at a greater or less degree of speed.

In using single-strand steel cables in machines of this character heretofore much trouble has been experienced because of-the fact that a steel cable under heavy tension has great resiliency, and when relieved of its tension will spring out like a watch spring, become disarranged on its drum, and even force itself out over the heads of the spool. It is frequently necessary to relax the strain upon the cable, as in moving the machine, and sometimes to do so quite suddenly, as when it becomes necessary to throw off the clutch because of the striking of the wheel against some obstruction. Some device, therefore, for retaining the cable in place under such circumstances is a necessity, and I have devised a retaining or friction case resting upon the spool-heads and inclosing the cable, and which I find it convenient to make in two parts, 32 and 33, attached to each other by bolts 34: and controlled by rearward extensions 35, embracing a conical plug, 36, mounted upon the main shaft. As these rearward extensions 35 are forced apart by the pressure of the plug between them, the two parts of the casing 32 and 33 are forced more tightly down upon the spool-heads, and as the plug is withdrawn their pressure is relieved. The position of this plug 36 is controlled by an arm, 37, pivoted to lever 38, which governs the position of the clutch 29, so that when this clutch, which controls the gearing likely to be most generally used, is thrown off and the tension of the cable suddenly suspended, the plug is forced between the rear extensions, 35, and the casing made to clasp the unwinding cable closely and prevent its displacement. Then the strain is again thrown on the cable by the replacement of the clutch, the casing is allowed to resume its normal position by the withdrawal of the plug. The position of the frame 19 is regulated by the length of two chains, 39 and 40, which connect it to the forward and rear bolsters of The rear chain is not attached directly to the frame, but to a bracket, 41, pivoted to the frame 19, near the secondary shaft 21. By adjusting the length of this chain the distance of the drum from the ground is regulated, and to enable nice adjustment to be readily made I provide chain 39 with a turn-buckle, 42. It will be readily seen that a large part of the strain of the cable will be borne by this connection with the bolster, and the main shaft to that extent IIO relieved. The other chain, 40, connecting the rear end of the frame with the rear bolster, prevents the spool from falling to the ground when the tension of the cable is suspended. It is convenient to provide this chain also with a turn-buckle, as shown at 43. If desired, the retaining-casing about the cable may be permanently fixed to the spool, or the two parts thereof may be pressed against it without any adjusting device, the gist of this part of my invention lying in the employment of any sort of retainingcover for the spool. So, too, a spool provided with such a retaining-cover may be used upon a fixed shaft, or even uponthe main shaft itself of the machine. Neither do I confine myself to the particular means shown for governing the adjusting position of the swinging frame. The adjusting-chains might, for instance, be applied, but at a disadvantage, to the end of the swinging frame opposite to that which carries the drum. Nor is it essential that there be a provision for varying the relative speed of the shaft and the drum. So, too, the drum journaled in a pivoted frame may be uscd without the retaining-ease.

I do not limit myself to the mounting of the swinging frame on the main shaft. The chains connecting the frame with the bolsters may or may not be made adjustable, as desired.

As is usual in ditching-machines of this general character, the rear wheel on the side of the machine upon which the excavatingwheel is mounted is set out so as to straddle the earth-dump. This gives the entire machine a tendency to follow a circular course, curving to the left, and this tendency is very diflicult to overcome so as to give a rectilinear motion to the machine withoutcontinual attention. I have discovered that it may be overcome by giving a slight permanent inelination to the front axle with reference to the frame of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. I do not confine myself to any particular means for securing and maintaining this inclination. I have found a convenient means to be a chain, at, passing from the end of the tongue 45 to the front end of the frame on the side opposite to that occupied by the outstanding rear wheel. This chain is preferably made adjustable by means of a turn-buckle, 4:6, or other appropriate device, and effects a certain amount of inclination in the front axle. To prevent the inclination from becoming too great and the machine from circling to the right, some means must be provided for holding the tongue from the other direction. I do not confine myself to any particular means for this purpose; but I find it convenient to connect itby an arm, 47, with the cable, this giving a more steady and satisfactory control of the tongue than another chain running back to the frame-work, and, moreover, eontinuallygl'liding the machine in the direction of the cable. It is desirable to reduce the friction between the arm 47 and the cable by a pulley, 49, and to make the position of the end of the tongue with reference to the cable adjustable by providing a number of holes in the arm 47, in any of which the shaft carrying the pulley may be set. The arm 47 is preferably made double, the pulley 45) being placed between the two parts thereof, as shown in Fig. 17 but-I do not confine myself to this particular means for connecting the tongue with the cable, nor to the particular means shown for adj ustingthat connection, as many others may be readily devised.

As it is desirable that the cable should at all times be as near the ground as possible, immediately in front of the machine, in order that the horse may step over it readily, I have devised means for holding it to the ground, this consisting of a frame, 50, pivoted in brackets 51, placed under the hounds in the position shown in perspective in Fig. 14 and by broken lines in Fig. 1. This frame preferably has at its lower end a roller, 52, against which the cable presses. The frame 50 is pivoted, as before stated, but is prevented from swinging forward by a fixed rod, 53, passing between the brackets 51 or other suitable stop. This stop is not essential,but is a convenience. hen the machine is in operation, the frame is prevented from swinging backward by a movable rod, 73, inserted through holes in brackets 51. 'hen the machine is being dragged from place to place, stop 73 is moved, permitting the frame to swing backward to clear obstructions, by which it would otherwise probably be torn off.

I do not, of course, limit myself to the particular position I have selected for attaching the frame 50, as itmay be attached to other parts of the frame-work of the machine; nor to the particular style of frame shown. Neither is it absolutely essential that the frame should be pivoted, or that it should have a free motion in one direction, the gist of my invention residing in the provision of a rest for holding the rope close to the surface of the ground, however it may be located or arranged.

A further improvement disclosed herein, and which I consider to be of importance in a machine of this character, is the shape and construction of the follower 5:4. The follower shown in my prior patents has the function of throwing the loose earth not taken up by the buckets forward into the path of the buckets, and also the function of preventing the caving in of the sides of the ditch before the tile is laid. The follower shown herein has both of these functions, and also the additional function of smoothing or leveling the bottom of the ditch, and, moreover, is im' proved in several details over the follower heretofore patented. To enable the follower to smooth or press into shape the bottom of the ditch, it is provided throughout its forward part with a shoe, 55, corresponding in contour with the outside of the bucket, and consequently with the bottom of the ditch as left by the bucket. This shoe serves to press down any roughness or inequality left in the ditch by the bucket, and insures the centering or alignment of the tiles. Were this shoe not used there would both be a certain amount of roughness in the bottom of the ditch and particles of earth would be left scattered upon it, which would catch the tiles and prevent them more or less from accurately centering by gravity. The shoe, however, leaves a smooth and symmetrically-formed bottom, in which the alignment of the tiles is automatic and perfect. In my former patents I have shown a follower with a face inclined toward the excavating-wheel. l find that a mere inclination is not so satisfactory in operation as a curved front conforming closely to the outside circumferential line of the buckets, as shown in Fig. 9, this form of carrier throwing forward at once all the loose earth which falls upon it into the path of the buckets. It would be an equivalent construction to make the front of two or more straight sections placed at such an angle to each other as to conform more or less approximately to the line followed by the buckets.

I have found that the follower has, especially in wet and caving soil, a tendency to bind in the ditch, and that this tendency is reduced by tapering the follower back from the front, as shown in Fig. 8. I find, also, that it is necessary to provide some means for holding the rear end of the follower down in the ditch, as the weight of the earth on the front end has a tendency to tip it up at the rear. In my previous patent, No. 340,614, I have shown the bridge as directly connected with the rear end of the follower and holding it down by its weight. This arrangement has the inconvenience that it is adapted to only one depth of ditch, and it is necessary, if the depth of ditch is changed, to change the connection between the bridge and the follower, in order that the bridge may continue to rest upon the surface of the ground.

I have therefore conceived the idea of making the connection between the rear of the follower and the bridge adjustable, and I claim such adjustable connection, broadly, without regard to the particular means used for effecting it. I find that a very convenient arrangement is to make the rear of the follower inclined, as shown in Fig. 9, and cause the front end of the bridge to rest against it. Then, by making the chain which connects the bridge with the machine adjustable, the adaptation to any depth of ditch may be readily made. The pressure of the bridge upon the inclined end of the follower is quite sufficient to prevent the tendency of the latter to tip, and this action will not be interfered with by the projection of the top of the follower above the surface of the ground when the ditch is shallower than that shown. The shape of the shoe should conform to the shape of .the bucket, and in this case is, as shown in Fig. 11, semi-elliptical. I contemplate using the several parts of this follower having separate functions apart from each other as well as in conjunction. Thus it would be within my invention to use the levelingshoe independently of the side boards, to prevent the caving in of the ditch, and with or Without the curved face conformed to the contour of the excavating-wheel; and the follower might be adapted to perform the function of keeping the loose dirt in the path of the buckets without either the shoe or the side boards. So, too, these features of a curved front and the shoe may be used with a follower, the rear end of which is held down, as shown in my Patent No. 340,614, or in any other way. I propose to use this follower with ditchingmachines of other constructions, as well as the machine herein shown and others of my invention.

In Figs. 15 and 16 I have shown an improved automatic anchor. I'Ieretofore it has been necessary to fasten the anchors to the earth by pins driven especially for that purpose. This takes time and labor, and as an improvement on anchors of that sort I have devised my present invention, in which the pins are pivoted so as to be automatically thrown into the earth by the pull of the cable upon the anchor. It consists of a frame-work made up of two beams, 56 and 57, connected to each other by bolts 58 and 59, shafts 60 and 61, and plate 72. The shafts are journaled in the frame-work and carry on their ends pins 62, rigidly attached thereto. These pins are free to swing upward, but their downward motion is limited by stops or cars 63, attached to the frame-work. To the center of each shaft is rigidly fixed an upwardly-extending arm or lug, 64, forked at its upper end and carrying therein a bolt, 65, which passes through a link of a chain, 66. One end of this chain carries a hook, 67, and the other end is attached to a trough-shaped iron, 68, in which the end of the cable is placed. The latter has a mass of leader other metal, 69, cast upon it, which is dropped into the groove of the iron 68 and held there by bolt 70. This or any other convenient device may be used for attaching the end of the cable to the chain 66. The chain passes under the forward bolt, 58, that the pull on the anchor maybe thrown down to the surface of the ground and a tilting tendency upon the anchor prevented. A friction-wheel, 71, is interposed between the bolt and the chain. From this description of the several parts of the anchor it will be seen that a pull on the cable throws the points of the pins downward and into the earth autothe machine started, the pull of the machine on the cable will automaticallycause the pins to enter the earth and the anchor to become set.

I do not, of course,limit myself to any particular construction of the frame-piece to which the pins are attached, nor to any particular form of mounting f or the pins in the frame-piece, nor to the number of pins used, the gist of my invention consisting in the mountingof any number of pins (one or more) upon any sort of a frame-piece in such a manner that when the frame-piece is pulled in a certain direction the pins will automatically enter the earth. It is obvious that this would be the case to a certain. extent even if the pins were rigidly fixed at the angle indicated to the frame-piece, or if they were pivoted independently to the frame-piece and the cable were attached directly to the frame-piece, instead of to the shafts on which the pins are mounted.

Ilavin g thus described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to protect: by Letters Patent, is

1. An excavating-wheel for a ditching-machine having a circle of segmental metal plates attached to its frame-work and buckets attached to said plates.

2. An excavating-wheel for a (.litching-machine having a circle of segmental metal plates attached to its framework and buckets attached to said plates and overlapping and connecting adjoining plates.

3. An excavating-wheel for a ditching-machine having a circle of segmental abutting plates about its circumference and buckets attached to said plates and overlapping and connecting adjoining plates.

4-. An excavating-wheel for a ditching-machine having a circle of segmental abutting plates attached to its frame-work and lying in the plane of the wheel and buckets attached to said plates and overlapping and connecting adjoining plates.

5. In a ditching-machinc, the combination of a bucket provided with a hinged side and a rear door attached to said hinged side, with a fixed stop for preventing the hinged side from opening too far, and thus causing the rear door to come in contact with a fixed part of the machine, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of the excavatingbucket having a hinged side and a rear door attached thereto, with fixed scraper 7, provided with one or more inclined fingers, 8 9, and stop 13, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a ditching-machine, the combination of the excavatingavheel with a protectingshield, the edge of the shield fitting into a groove provided for its reception in the circumferential part of the wheel.

3. In a ditchirig-machine, the combination of the excavating-wheel with a protectingshield hung from the axle thereof.

9. In a ditching-machine, the combination of the excavating-wheel with a protectingshield hung from the axle thereof and provided with a stay connecting the shield with the stationary part of the frame-work of the machine.

10. In a ditchlug-machine, the combination, with the excavating-wheel having on one side of its felly a metal facing, of a protecting-sh ield suspended from the machine, the edge thereof being received in a recess provided between the telly of the wheel and the said metal facing.

11. In aditching-machine, the combination, with an excavating-wheel provided with lixed buckets, of detachable cnttiiigii'roiits for some or all of the buckets and braces connecting the same with the bucket.

12. In aditching-machine, the combination, with an excavating-wheel provided with fixed buckets, of a detachable cutting-frmit pro vided with a shank for attaclnnent to the wheel and one or more braces for connecting the cutting-front with the bucket.

13. In a ditching-machinc, the combination, with the excavati ng-wheel provided with fixed buckets, of the detachable cutting-front Ll, provided with shank 5 and braces 6,snbstantially as set forth.

1st. The combination of aditching-machinc, means for propelling the same, and a chain connecting the forward part of the tongue with the framework on one side, whereby a permanent inclination maybe given to the front axle with reference to the frame-work.

15. The combination, in a ditching-machine, of means for driving the same, a chain connecting the frame-work on one side with the forward part of the tongue, and means for adjusting said chain, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination of a ditching-machine, a cable and drum for propelling the same, and an adjustable connection between the .forward part of the tongue and the cable, whereby a fixed inclination may be given to the forward axle.

17. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a drum and cable for propelling the same, means for connecting the forward part of the tongue with the cable, whereby movementof the tongue in one direction is prevented, and a chain connecting thetongue with the frame of the machine, whereby movement in the other direction is prevented and a permanent inclination of the front axle to the frame of the machine is secured.

18. In a ditching-machine, the combination, with the tongue 4C5, of the arm 47 and ad j ustal le pulley 4.).

it). In a ditchirig-machine, the eoi'nbination of a swinging frame, a cable, a drum 'ournaled on said swinging frame, and means for adjusting said frame so as to vary the position of the drum with reference to the surface of the ground.

20. The combination, in a ditching-machinc,

of the swinging frame 19, the drum 22, journaled therein, and the chain 40, connecting the rear end of said frame with the framework for holding up said frame-work when the cable is slackened, substantially, as set forth.

21. The combination of the swinging frame 19, the chain 40, connecting the rear end of the same with the main frame-work, and means for adjusting said chain, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

22. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a cable and drum for the same, a swinging frame in which said drum is journaled, and a connection between said swinging frame and the main frame-work of the machine for determining the position of the drum when the cable is under tension and taking a part of the strain of said cable, substantially as and for the purpose set forth 23. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a cable, a drum for the same, a swinging frame in which said drum is journaled, and a connection between that part of the framework in which said drum is journaled and the main frame-work of the machine, for taking the strain of the cable and determining the position of the drum, substantially as set forth.

24. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a cable, a drum for the same, a swinging frame in which said drum is j ournaled, a con nection between said frame and the main frame-work of the machine for determining the position of said frame-work, and means for adjusting said connection.

25. In a ditching-machine, the combination of cable 24, drum 22, swinging frame 19, in which said drum is journaled, bracket 4], and chain 40, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a metal cable, adrum, acasing forretaining the cable when slackened upon the drum, and means for adjusting the pressure of said casing upon the cable.

27. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a metal cable, a drum for the same, a casing made in two parts for retaining the cable when slackened upon the drum, said parts having rearward extensions, and means for forcing said rearward extensions apart, so as to cause the two parts of the casing to clasp the cable more tightly when desired.

28. The combination of a metal cable, a drum, a piece of easing mounted so as to swing and having rearward extensions, and means for operating on said rearward eXtensions to cause the casing to bear more or less heavily upon the cable.

29. The combination, with the drum, of casing 32 and 33, having rearward extensions 35 with conical plug 36, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

30. In a ditching-machine, the combination of a cable, a drum for the same, a secondary shaft upon which said drum is mounted, a casing for retaining the cable in position upon the drum, means for adjusting the pressure of said casing upon the cable, gearing between said secondary shaft and the main shaft of the machine, means for throwing said gearing in and out of gear with the main shaft, and a connection between the means for regulating the pressure of the easin g upon the cable and the means for controlling the gearing of the main shaft with the secondary shaft, whereby, when the main shaft is ungeared, the pressure of the casing on the cable will be increased.

31. The combination of cable 24, drum 22, secondary shaft 21, upon which said drum is mounted, casing 32 33, having rearward extensions 35, plug 36, arm 37, gearing 25 27, clutch mechanism 29, and lever 38, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

.32. A follower for a ditching-machine narrower at the rear than at the front, whereby clogging by a caving of the walls of the ditch against it sides is prevented.

33. The combination of a ditching-machine, a follower therefor, a bridge at the rear of the follower, and an adjustable connection between the follower and the bridge.

34. The combination of a ditching-machine, a follower having an inclined rear end, and a bridge bearing against said incline, whereby the follower is prevented from tipping.

35. The combination of a ditchiligmachine, a follower having an inclined rear end, a bridge bearing against the same, and an adjustable connection between the bridge and the ditching-machine, whereby the bridge may be adjusted to the follower for the varying depths of ditch.

36. The combination of a ditching-1nachine, a cable for propelling the same, a pivoted frame for holding the cable against the surface of the ground, and a removable stop for preventing the swinging of the frame backward when the machine is in operation.

37. The combination of cable 24, pivoted frame 50, roller 52, and stop 73, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

38. In an anchor for a ditching-machine, the combination of a frame-work, pins pivoted to said frame-work, stops for preventing said pin-s from turning completely around, and connections between said pins and the cable, whereby the strain on the cable causes the points of the pins to be thrown downward into the earth.

39. In a ditching-machine anchor, the combination of the frame-work, a pin attached to a shaft journaled in said frame-work, and a projection from said shaft, to which the cable is attached, whereby the tension of the cable causes the points of the pins to be automatically thrown downward into the earth.

40. In a ditching-machine anchor, the com- ITO binatien, with a suitable frmne-wm-k, 0f pivoted pins,eha in (36, and roller 71, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

DAVID J. POWER binatien 0f pinsfii, shaft 00, and projection U4, with which the cable is connected, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

41. In a ditching-machine anchor, the 00m- 5 binatien of frame work 56 57, pins 62, shaft 6'), npwm'dly-pl'ojeeting arm 6%, and step 63.

42. In a dit'ehing-nlaehine m1e1101-,1:hec01n- Vitnesses:

FREDERICK (J. Geenwm, E. L. HUI-11m. 

